Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALGUOCH’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALGUOCH’, particularly characterized by having small, white flowers with yellow-green lateral sepals and white-yellow lips, 1 to 4 peduncles, a compact-plant with panicle inflorescences, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALGUOCH’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALGUOCH’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with numerous small, white flowers with yellow-green lateral sepals and white-yellow lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALGUOCH’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in June 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-0274’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3324’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in May 2013. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 26, 2018 (Application number 20181202), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALGUOCH’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALGUOCH’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALGUOCH’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Small, white flowers with yellow-green lateral sepals and         white-yellow lips;     -   2) 1 to 4 peduncles; and     -   3) Compact plant with panicle inflorescences.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in December 2019. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHALGUOCH’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALGUOCH’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALGUOCH’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALGUOCH’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in December 2019 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALGUOCH’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-0274’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3324’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (between RHS 190B and 190C)             colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (RHS 144C) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24             weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendant             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 28.0 cm to 33.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 30.0 cm to 32.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 8 to 10 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 14.0 cm             to 16.0 cm. Width: 5.0 cm to 6.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: Toward the apex. Shape: Obovate.             Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Unequal obtuse. Leaf             blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal             position): Between 10 degrees and 30 degrees. Leaf margin:             Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS.             146B. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth.             Thickness: 2.3 mm to 2.6 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation:             Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS             146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 4.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—16 to 26.         -   Length.—28.0 cm to 33.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—3.8 mm to 4.3 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendant.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS N199A) and yellow-green (RHS 146C).         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 4.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 160.0 mm to             210.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 40.0 mm to 45.0 mm. Diameter: 50.0 mm to             55.0 mm. Depth of lip: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 10 to 14 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Flat.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 14.0 mm to             16.0 mm. Width: 12.0 mm to 14.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellow-green (RHS N144D) with a touch of diluting             purplish-red (RHS N77D).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to             tip): 24.0 mm to 26.0 mm. Width: 24.0 mm to 26.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the             middle. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic             color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower             surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light             purple midvein (RHS 76A). Number of spots and stripes on the             petals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on             the petals (upper surface): None. Density of netting of the             petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper             surface): None.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 25.0 mm to             27.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the dorsal sepals: In the middle. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Hint of diluting light yellow-green             (RHS 145C) and very light purple (RHS 76B) in the middle.             Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal             sepals (upper surface): None. Density of netting of the             dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting             (upper surface): None.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 25.0 mm to             27.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: At the base. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145D). Lower surface:             Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light             yellow-green (RHS 145C) in the middle with red midvein (RHS             182B). Number of spots on the lateral sepals (upper             surface): Medium dots at the base. Color of spots on the             lateral sepals (upper surface): Red (RHS 178A). Density of             netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color             of the netting (upper surface): None.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 6.0             mm to 8.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C).             Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Entire. Length: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Width: 10.0 mm             to 12.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: White (RHS NN155C);             greenish-yellow margin (RHS 1B) on one side toward the base.             Lower surface: White (RHS NN155C); greenish-yellow margin             (RHS 1B) on one side toward the base. Number of spots on the             lateral lobe: Medium dots at the base. Color of spots on the             lateral lobe: RHS 178B. Density of netting of the lateral             lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Ovate. Margin: Entire. Length: 14.0 mm             to 16.0 mm. Width: 12.0 mm to 14.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Greenish-yellow (RHS 1B) at the base; white (RHS NN155C)             toward whiskers. Lower surface: Slightly greenish-yellow             (something in between RHS 1B and 1C) at the base; white (RHS             NN155C) toward whiskers. Number of spots on the apical lobe:             Few very small dots at the base. Color of spots on the             apical lobe: RHS 178B. Density of netting of the apical             lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.             Length: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Width: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Color:             Yellow (RHS 9A) with reddish-orange spots (RHS 178B). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Diameter: 3.7 mm to             4.2 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 25A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Diameter: 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Diameter: 1.0 mm to             2.0 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 144B) at             the base; very light yellow-green (RHS 145C) and hint of             very light purple (RHS 76C) toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

The female parent plant of ‘PHALGUOCH’, cultivar ‘01-0274’ (unpatented), is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALGUOCH’ differs from male parent plant ‘01-3324’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALGUOCH’ has a small callus, whereas ‘01-3324’ has a medium callus. Additionally, ‘PHALGUOCH’ has smaller flowers and a shorter plant than ‘01-3324’.

‘PHALGUOCH’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALDRIDOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,980) and ‘PHALFLABAL’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,458). ‘PHALGUOCH’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDRIDOP’ in that ‘PHALGUOCH’ has ovate apical lobes, whereas ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has triangular apical lobes. Additionally, ‘PHAGUOCH’ has smaller flowers, narrower apical lobes, narrower leaves, and shorter dorsal sepals than ‘PHALDRIDOP’.

‘PHALGUOCH’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFLABAL’ in that ‘PHALGUOCH’ has ovate apical lobes, whereas ‘PHALFLABAL’ has triangular apical lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALGUOCH’ has smaller flowers, narrower apical lobes, and shorter dorsal sepals than ‘PHALFLABAL’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGUOCH’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 